Solomon launched into all sorts of construction projects. As he began work on a temple dedicated to the Lord, he worked a deal with the king of Tyre. Solomon traded vast amounts of grain and olive oil for equally vast loads of cedar, juniper and algum logs.

Next Solomon conscripted labors from across Israel, 153,600 in total. These men cut stone in the hills and carried all the materials back and forth from the various parts of the kingdom. A vast coordinated network dedicated to one magnificent building.

In the midst of all this building Solomon wrote these words: Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Solomon understood construction and wrote often of vanity. He knew that all his efforts ultimately depended on the Lord for any lasting influence.

Which is good for me to remember. While I may not build cathedrals, I do manage my career and watch our finances and attempt to live a good life. But to do so without any grounding in the Lord leads to a dead end of my own devices.

If I allow the Lord room to build in my life I may not always understand his methods, but I can confidently expect hopeful results.

Psalm 127 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Callum Hill